Become a CASA

Download this ODFJS Central Registry Request You need to fill out this form to request ODFJS to check your name against "Central Registry", a database that looks for any referrals or complaints about child abuse and neglect. Once you receive these results, please give them to the CASA office. You cannot be Sworn In as a CASA volunteer until these results are obtained. Because this process can take 6 weeks to process, please fill out this form ASAP.

GAL Annual Compliance Statement

Make sure you have turned in your compliance statement for this year. The Annual Compliance form is made available to you on our website for your convenience. Please click on the link and start filling out the PDF to register your annual compliance Annual Compliance Form

Become a GAL

To become a Guardian ad litem for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, attorneys must attend New Guardian ad Litem Training (pre-service training), which the Guardian ad Litem Project offers. New GAL Training will be announced shortly. We hold this training cooperatively with the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court.

Once an attorney completes New Guardian ad Litem Training, the attorney must submit anGuardian ad Litem Application to the Guardian ad Litem Project.

Guardians ad litem (GAL) promote proficient and skillful representation of the interests of children and others before the Juvenile Court, to vindicate their rights, and achieve their best interests as valued members of our community.

About Guardian ad litem for Children

Guardian ad Litem for Children

Current and future attorneys can make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our community. Accepting a court appointment as a GAL provides attorneys with the opportunity to practice in a new area of law, build their practice, and network with other attorneys, judges, and magistrates. Attorneys can serve as GAL pro bono; they can work for a small stipend paid by the county and state, or sometimes the parties are required to pay the GAL's fees at a reasonable and customary hourly rate.

Performing as a GAL provides the opportunity to serve an immediate community need, while gaining an understanding of the child welfare, juvenile justice, family law, and foster care systems. Continuing legal education is provided on an array of applicable topics, and GAL work opens the door to other areas of practice.

GALs are a growing network of good in Cuyahoga County, helping judges make important decisions by providing factual input concerning the child's life and best interest recomendations to the court.

GALs are appointed by the Juvenile Court to investigate the circumstances of children who are petitioned into the court system by the Dividsion of Children and Family Services, a county agency represented by the County Prosecutor. GALs make independent recommendations to the court for services and advocate fopr a permanent and safe home for every child within the shortest time possible.

STELLAR GAL Maureen Nagel

“Maureen repeatedly goes above and beyond when advocating for her wards. She spends a great deal of time building a rapport with them, i.e. daily visits to the hospital to check on her ward and fighting for her wards continued placement in a positive, home environment. She routinely reaches out to everyone involved in the case, initiating meetings and communications, to address the needs of her wards. Maureen's zealous advocacy for her wards is representative of a true, stellar Guardian ad Litem.
~ Thank you, Maureen, for all of your hard work. Thank you for providing high quality advocacy for the children and families in Cuyahoga County!”

This program is supported by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, The Cleveland Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, and Ohio CASA. Ohio CASA supports local CASA/GAL programs throughout the state with training, technical assistance, legislative support, and standards implementation, so volunteers may advocate for abused, neglected and dependent children in the court system. This program is also supported by grant number 2017-VOCA-43551387, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Victims of federal crimes will be served.